Recent Reviews
It's been a while, but I was taken to "Kawada" in Ningyocho. A 5-minute walk from Ningyocho Station, you'll find the entrance in the basement along a small street. The interior has a luxurious feel with a counter that seats 7. The course begins immediately. I visited in September, so I enjoyed the seasonal course. First, there was white taro stem. The ginger warmed me up. Next was steamed sea bream with sesame. The sticky sea bream and sesame flavor were delicious. Eggplant was served with miso and sea urchin. Even though the sea urchin alone is delicious, the richness of the miso enhanced the flavor. It was a dish that looked like autumn. Fried abalone mushrooms and guchi, served with fresh ginkgo nuts. The fluffy ginkgo nuts were also delicious. A dish with plenty of sticky sweet bean paste using chestnuts. The sashimi was a two-kind assortment of sea bream and bonito. It was full of aroma. Next was the soup. A luxurious soup with conger eel and matsutake mushrooms. It was pure bliss to enjoy the seasonal ingredients simply…! The grilled fish was fluffy and moist. Matsutake mushroom fries with a crispy, thin batter. The simmered dish was colorful with shrimp and taro. And what surprised me was the finishing rice. There were four kinds…! I didn't have a photo of the first kind, nori rice… The second was rice with pickled egg yolk. The third was rice with dried small sardines and Japanese pepper. And finally, rice with simmered beef. I was surprised that so much finishing rice came out; it was too luxurious. Everything was delicious, and I understand why it's a popular restaurant that's difficult to reserve. I wonder when I can visit again. Thank you for the meal!
I visited to try the cuisine of Mr. Kawada, the owner who trained for 13 years at "Isetsu." It seems relatively easy to get a reservation, which is a bit of a mystery... Well, "Isetsu" doesn't allow photos, so it probably doesn't attract the attention of those strange foodies. That makes me happy, though♡笑 The interior is very simple. However, thanks to the owner and staff's personalities, the atmosphere is very warm and welcoming. As for the food, it was all incredibly delicious. I'm a small eater, and when I mentioned that, they adjusted the portion sizes for me. The owner was also considerate of my stomach, which showed his kindness. What I especially loved was the "zuiki" dish. I'm a big fan of "zuiki," and I was so happy to be able to eat so much of it（ ; ; ）♡ The rice at the end had various options, and even though I was full, I couldn't help but eat it＞＜ There's no trendy flashiness, but I like this kind of place. If you want to enjoy carefully prepared, authentic Japanese cuisine, please visit. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 【Omakase Course】…33,000 yen *Drinks not included ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ◆ Seared Sushi ◆ Red "Zuiki" ◆ Tempura ・Maitake Mushroom ・Ebi-imo (Taro) ◆ Grilled Shinshu Matsutake Mushroom ◆ "Guji" (Tilefish) Steamed with Chestnuts ◆ Sashimi ・Sea Bream ・Shiogama Tuna ◆ Hamo (Conger Eel) and Matsutake Mushroom Soup ◆ Blackthroat Seaperch ◆ Rice ・Matsutake Mushroom Rice ・White Rice (Salmon Roe/Whitebait) ・Rosanjin Tororo Kombu (Grated Yam and Kelp) ◆ Dessert ・Warabi Mochi ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ Thank you for the delicious meal♡
Tonight, the chef, Haruji Kawada's approach to cooking – unassuming, unpretentious, and un-arrogant – is like the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi. Yet, every dish is incredibly delicious, nourishing both body and soul, and truly comforting. The dishes served year-round are the face and the backbone of the restaurant, while seasonal ingredients add a touch of color, allowing you to experience the four seasons of Japan. Many customers now take photos of their food, and chefs have become more conscious of creating visually appealing dishes. However, I believe that Kawada-san's cooking, which is simply and earnestly prepared with passion, is what truly touches the heart.
Mr. Kawada, who trained for 13 years at Isetsu, opened this restaurant about a year ago. The meal is quite carb-heavy, starting with mochi and rice. There are also about six different rice dishes to finish, so you'll be very full. Including drinks, it costs around 37,000 yen per person. As of the end of January, the next available reservation is in April.
The owner is from Ginza's Isetsu. Like Kyo-aji and Isetsu, they serve carefully prepared dishes, taking their time, in small portions so as not to be too filling. The owner is also very humble and never comes across as arrogant, making the restaurant a comfortable place to be. I think it will quickly become a popular restaurant.